Key holder



Nov. 30, 1954 R. T. WING ET AL KEY HOLDER Filed NOV. 21, 1949 5Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS RUSSELL T M/nvc DODGE E. I/V/NG 0L2, @MQMATTORNEKS Nov. 30, 1954 R. T. WING ETAL 2,695,511

KEY HOLDER Filed Nov. 21; 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I A LP ,INVENTORSQUSSELL. T l Vnve D0001: E. l/Vr/vc ACTORNE vs Nov. 30, 1954 R. T. WINGETAL KEY HOLDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 21, 1949 M 4 U M. 3 M Z z m4 m 6 0 Z 6 7 M 6 I O l 1 m M M I721: v. 9 9 M w Russell. T l/l uvc l 4.n 5 3 V 7 4 v H B W n .I 61 3 1 2m 4 4 Z 9 V 4 Nov. 30, 1954 R. T. WINGET AL 2,695,511

KEY HOLDER Filed Nov. 21, 1949 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Qusssu. T lV/N'G DODGE E. VV/NG A T TORNE YS Nov. 30, 1954 R. T. WING ETAL KEYHOLDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 21, 1949 INVENTORS RUSSELL 7'. lV/A/G Boos: 5.. W/NG MIQMQM ATTORNEYS United. States Patent Ofifice2,695,511 Patented Nov. 30, 1954 KEY HOLDER Russell T. Wing, Excelsior,and Dodge E. Wing, Wayzata, Minn.

Application November 21, 1949, Serial No. 128,558

16 Claims. (Cl. 70-456) This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in key holders or key packs, generally, and moreparticularly to a key holder adapted to contain a number of keys in aconvenient, compact, and orderly manner, and an object of the inventionis to provide such a device having a single key ejecting element soarranged that it may be conveniently manipulated at any time by one, toeject a selected key from thetholder into a position for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder for a pluralityof keys which may vary considerably in length and thickness, and saidholder being so constructed that any number of keys may be supportedtherein from one to its full capacity, and the means for securing thekeys in the holder being so constructed and arranged that any particularkey within the holder may be quickly detached or removed therefromwithout affecting the operations of other keys in the holder.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a key holderhaving means therein for supporting a plurality of keys, and a singlekey-ejecting element being movably supported on the holder and shiftableinto position with any selected key in the holder, whereby such selectedkey may be quickly ejected from the holder to a position to be insertedinto a keyhole.

A further and more specific object is to provide a key holder comprisinga housing having a plurality of thin sheet-like resilient elementsmounted therein in spaced parallel relation and extending substantiallythe length of the holder, said elements cooperating to provide acellular structure adapted to pivotally support a plurality of keys, andan ejector being mounted for movement over the keys, and by manipulationof which any selected key may be ejected from the holder to a positionfor use.

A further object is to provide a key holder of the class describedcomprising a suitable frame adapted to receive and pivotally support aplurality of keys, and a selector being mounted for swinging or slidingmovement over the keys and carrying a cam-like ejector having afingerengaging element conveniently located, whereby an individualcarrying the key holder may readily shift the selector over the keysinto position over a desired or selected key, after which a flip of thecam by the operator's finger will eject the selected key to a positionwhereby it may readily be inserted into the keyhole of a lock.

A further object is to provide a key holder particularly designed forsupporting a plurality of flat keys in contiguous flatwise relation, theheads'of said keys being substantially one-half inch in diameter, andeach head having a centrally disposed aperture therein which aperturesare axially aligned to facilitate pivotally mounting the keys in theholder, said keys normally being concealed within the holder, and meansbeing provided for ejecting any selected key from the holder to aposition for insertion into a keyhole, the key pack, as a whole,providing a very convenient grip or handle for the operators fingers,when manipulating an ejected key to lock or unlock a lock.

Other objects of the invention reside in the unique arrangement of theseparators within the supporting frame whereby the keys are normallysubstantially concealed from view when not in use; in the constructionof the locking bar for pivotally supporting the keys within the holder,and whereby any key may readily be removed from the holder and anotherone substituted therefor at any time without interfering with theoperation of other keys contained therein, and without requiring theholder to be disassembled; in the provision of means for aiding theoperator to shift the selector and ejector to a selected key, andwhereby the operator may be assured that when he actuates the ejector,the desired key will be ejected from the holder and placed in properposition for use; in the provision of such a device which readily lendsitself for supporting conventional flat keys, after the heads of suchkeys have been trimmed to uniform size by suitable die means; and in theprovision of such a novel key holder which is extremely simple andinexpensive in construction, and is economical to manufacture, wherebythe holder readily lends itself for manufacture in quantity productionat low cost.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for theirattainment will be more apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structuredesigned to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is tobe understood that the invention is not confined to the exact featuresshown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a bottom view of the holder showing the selector and ejectorin their normal positions;

Figure 2 is a top plan view partially in section, show ing the means fordetachably securing the keys in the holder;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view substantially on the line 3-3of Figure 1, showing the centrally disposed locking bar for locking theseparators in their normal key supporting positions; V

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the ejector actuatedto eject a key from the holder;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing the centrally disposedlocking bar swung out of the holder to permit lateral movement of theseparators and thereby permit shifting of the keys within the holder, orthe removal or insertion of a key therein;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 66 of Figure 3, showingthe keys in their normal positions within the holder;

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 7-7 of Figure 3, showingthe preferred form and arrangement of the separators whereby theycooperate to frictionally retain the free ends of the keys in theirnormal positions within the holder;

Figure 8 is a view simllar to Figure 2 showing the locking bar swungoutwardly, as shown in Figure 5, whereby the separators may be shiftedlaterally to permit the removal of keys from the holder or the insertionof keys thereinto, the holder being shown empty of keys; t

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing a holder of slightlymodified construction;

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view substantially on the line1010 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view on the line 1111 of Figure 10,showing the top and bottom edges of the keys aligned with the top andbottom edges of the separators;

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 9, showing a simpler form of keyejector;

Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 1313 of Figure12, showing the key ejector in its normal position; and

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view substantially on the line 1414 ofFigure 13, partially in end elevation.

The novel key holder herein disclosed is shown comprising a supportingframe or casing, generally designated by the numeral 2, having a bottomwall 3, opposed side walls 4 and 5, and an end wall 6. The end wall 6 ispreferably semi-cylindrical in cross section, as shown in Figures 3, 4and 5, and finishing bars or plates 7 and 8 are secured to the sidewalls 4 and 5, re-

spectively, and cooperate with the end wall 6 to. so

fashion the contour of the holder that it may be readand 8 may besecured to their respective frame walls 4 and 5 by transversely disposedrivets or screws 9 and 11, clearly shown in the application drawings.

An important feature of the present invention resides in theconstruction of the means provided for detachably supporting the keyswithin the holder, whereby one or more of the keys may be removed fromthe holder at any time without effecting the operation of the remainingkeys, and also whereby the keys within the holder may be interchanged orshifted about therein to place those keys which are most frequentlyused, where they may be ejected from the holder with a minimum shiftingof the key ejector, subsequently to be described.

While the wall 3 of the supporting frame 2 is herein referred to as thebottom wall of the holder, it is to be understood that this is merelyfor explanatory reasons, as obviously the wall 3 might in some instancesbe considered the top wall of the holder.

The means provided for thus supporting the keys Within the holder isshown comprising two groups of separators, generally designated by thereference characters 12 and 13. Each of said groups comprises aplurality of thin, flexible plate elements which will herein be referredto as separators 14 and 15, disposed in alternate relation, as clearlyillustrated in Figure 8. A centrally disposed locking member 16 is shownhaving one end pivotally mounted on the rod or rivet 11, and divides theseparators into the two groups above referred to. The opposite end ofthe member 16 is shaped to conform to the configuration of the heads 18of the keys 19, as clearly illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

The bottom edge of the pivoted locking member 16 is preferably providedwith a depending portion 21 adapted to engage the rod or rivet 9, whenthe member 16 is in its normal position, as shown in Figures 3 and 4,thereby to align its free end with the adjacent ends of the separators14 and 15, and also whereby the member 16 will normally be aligned withthe heads 18 of the keys 19, as hereinbefore stated.

As best illustrated in Figure 2, all of the separators 14 of the twogroups of separators 12 and 13 are provided at one end with opposeddiametrically disposed semi-spherical elements 22 and 23, shown securedto their respective separators 14 by suitable rivets 24, having theiropposed ends headed over and flattened to provide opposed flat faces 25on each spherical element 2223. The other separators serve merely asspacers between adjacent keys, while the spherical elements 2223, inaddition to serving as pivots for the keys 19, also serve as spacers forthe separators 14 and 15, as will be noted by reference to Figures 2, 4and 5. The head of each key has a suitable aperture 26 therein forreceiving the spherical elements 22-23 of the separators 14, asillustrated in Figure 2.

Means is provided for frictionally retaining the keys in their normalpositions within the key holder, as shown in dotted lines in Figures 3,4 and 10, and full lines in Figure 5. To thus frictionally retain thekeys in their normal inoperative positions, each separator is shownhaving its upper marginal edge portion 27 adjacent to the rod or rivet11, laterally offset, whereby when the keys are positioned in the holderbetween the separators, the offset portions 27 of the separators arepartially flexed and placed under sufficient tension to frictionallyretain the keys in the holder, as will be understood by reference toFigure 7.

In other words, by offsetting portions of the separators as abovedescribed, a lateral pressure is exerted against the separators which inturn is exerted against the keys, whereby the keys are not likely toaccidentally swing out of the holder, when the holder is carried in apocket or handbag. To enhance the appearance of the holder, the twogroupsof separators 12 and 13 are preferably offset in oppositedirections, as shown in Figures 2, 7 and 8, whereby the holder issymmetric about its longitudinal center line. This also assures adequatespring action against all keys with less separators than other wisewould be required.

Means is provided for readily and quickly ejecting a selected key fromthe holder in position for use, and is shown comprising an ejector,generally designated by the numeral 28, having an open sided aperturetherein adapted to receive a spherical element or ball 29.

The ball 29 is received in a socket 31 provided in a key selector plate32, bestillustrated in Figure 6 The selector plate 32 is shown pivotallysupported on the swingable ends of a pair of parallel arms 33 bysuitable rivets 34 and 35, whereby the selector plate and its ejector 28may readily be swung laterally over the keys, as will be understood byreference to the full and dotted lines in Figure 1.

The selector plate 32 has a slot 36 therein for receivin" the ejector28, the latter being provided with a finger grip 37 which is sofashioned that it may readily be grasped by the operators thumb orfinger, when holding the key holder or pack in the palm of the hand. Theslot 36 is closed at its forward end by an integral tie bar 38 againstwhich the finger grip 37 of the ejector 28 seats, when the ejector is inits normal inoperative position, as shown in Figures 3' and 5. Thefinger grip 37 is shown having a recessed face 39 adapted to seatagainst the curved face of the tie bar 38. The opposite end of the slot36 is closed by a bridge 41, clearly illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 4 and5. The swingable ends of the parallel arms 33 extend outwardly from overthe bottom wall 3 of the holder supporting frame 2, said wall 3 beingspaced downwardly from the rivet 9 to provide oscillating clearance forthe arms 33, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5.

Means is provided for constantly exerting a light pressure against thespherical element or ball 29 of the ejector to hold said ball inclicking engagement with the bottom edges of the separators, and isshown comprising a spring 42 having an offset end anchored in a smallrc-entrant recess provided in the wall of the aperture in the ejector28, in which the ball 29 is seated. The opposite end of the spring 42may be secured in an aperture 43 by a suitable securing element such asa set screw, indicated at 44 in Figures 1, 6, and 8, whereby the tensionof the spring may be varied to impart the desired action to the ejector28.

The end wall 6 of the supporting frame of the holder is shown cut awayat 45 to provide in effect an eye 46 for receiving one end of a chain,hook, or other device for securing the key holder to one end of a keyring, or the like.

In the form illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, the keys 19 arepreferably constructed as shown in Figure 4, the shanks of all of thekeys adjacent to the heads thereof being identical in configuration andthe head of each key having an enlarged aperture therein adapted toreceive one of the spherical elements 2223, illustrated in Figure 2. Theholder herein disclosed is shown capable of containing twelve keys, thehead ends of which are alike in contour.

The width, or vertical dimension of the shank of each key is slightlyless than the corresponding dimension of the locking member 16 andseparators 15, whereby the lower edges of the keys are spaced upwardlyfrom the corresponding edges of the separators, as best shown in Figure6. By thus staggering the bottom edges of the keys and separators, aclicking action is imparted to the key ejector 28, as it is shiftedlaterally over the keys from one to another, as indicated by the fulland dotted lines in Figure 1. Such clicking action of the ejectorconstitutes an important feature of the present invention in that itmakes it possible for the operator to shift the ejector to any desiredkey by touch, or, in other words, by the clicking action imparted to theejector.

The ejector may normally be positioned in its central or neutralposition over the locking bar or member 16, as shown in Figures 1 and 6,wherein the spherical element 29 will partially enter the space betweenthe separators 15 disposed adjacent to the bar 16. As the spring 42constantly urges the spherical element or ball 29 towards the lockingbar 16, it will readily be understood that as the selector plate 32 andejector 28 are laterally shifted from their neutral position over thekeys, the ball 29 will successively be pressed into the sockets orrecesses 31 and released therefrom as the ball 29 successively passesover the bottom edges of the separators in the operation of shifting theejector to the desired key. Such relative up and down movement of theball 29 in its socket is what causes the clicking action imparted-to theejector which may readily be felt by the operators finger so that in acomparatively short time he will learn to shift the ejector to aselected key by feel, or by the number of impulses imparted to theejector as it passes over the lower edges of the separators whenshifting the ejector from one key to another.

The parallel arms 33 cooperate to maintain the ejector 28 in parallelrelation to the keys, regardless of the particular key over which theejector may be positioned.

In the operation of the novel key holder herein disclosed, the keys tobe carried therein are inserted into their repective places between theseparators 14 and 15 when the locking member 16 is swung outwardly to aninoperative position, as shown in Figure 5. When the member 16 is thuspositioned, the opposite or forward ends of the separators may readilybe swung laterally within the holder, as indicated in Figure 8, wherebythe keys may readily be inserted therebetween and pivotally secured inthe holder by the spherical pivot elements.

The thickness of the locking member 16, it will be noted by reference toFigure 6, is equal to the normal spacing between adjacent separators,whereby when swung outwardly, as shown in Figures 5 and 8, ample room orspace is provided between one of the pivot elements 22 or 23 and anadjacent separator to permit a key to be inserted therebetween. SeeFigure 8.

When the desired number of keys have been inserted in the holder, thelocking member 16 is swung downwardly into its normal position betweenthe two centrally disposed separators, whereby all of the semisphericalkey supporting elements 22-23 and the intervening separators 15 arepressed into firm engagement with one another crosswise of the holder,as will be understood by reference to Figure 2. When the locking member16 has been returned to its normal key securing position, shown inFigures 3 and 5, the keys will be securely locked in the holder so thatthey cannot accidentally become detached therefrom.

To eject a selected key from the holder, the operator simply places histhumb or finger on the key ejecting member 28 and slides it over theseparatorsand keys until the ejector 29 is positioned over the selectedkey. The ejector is then actuated from the position shown in Figure 3 tothat shown in Figure 4, whereby its cam end will engage the bottom edgeof the selected key and outwardly eject said key from the holder to aposition whereby it may readily be inserted into its complemental lock,as will be understood by reference to Figure 4. The spring 42 returnsthe ejector to its normal inoperative position, shown in Figures 3 and5, when the selected key has been ejected from the holder. The key mayreadily be returned to its position Within the holder by simply swingingit back into position between the separators, as shown in Figure 5.Suitable identification numerals may be provided along the forwardcurved edge 47 of the bottom wall 3 of the key holder frame, asindicated in Figure 1, adapted to cooperate with a mark 50 on theselector plate 32 to facilitate accurately spottingthe ejector 28 overthe selected key.

7 Figures 9, 10 and ll illustrate a slightly modified constructionwherein the shanks of the keys are preferably made substantially thesame width as the separators so that their bottom edges are disposed inthe plane of the bottom edges of the separators, therebyto provide asmooth unbroken surface over which the ball 29 may travel, as theejector is moved from one key to another, as may be understood byreference to Figure 11.

When the shanks of the keys are thus enlarged, the sphericalelement 29will move smoothly over the keys and separators without any tendency toimpart a clicking action to selector 28 as it is shifted from onekey toanother. To facilitate positioning the ejector over a selected key inthe form of holder shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11, a spring pressed arm48 is shown integrally formed with an arm 49 mounted adjacent to asimilar arm 51. The arms 49 and 51 are disposed in parallel relation andcooperate to support the selector plate 32 and ejector 28, as in theprevious figures.

Instead of enlarging the key shanks, as above described, the ball 29could be immovably secured in the socket 31 by peening over the edge ofthe socket with a suitable instrument such as a hammer, as is well knownin the art, thereby preventing the ball from dropping into vacant spacesbetween adjacent separators, in the event the key holder were notcompletely filled with keys.

To warn the carrier of the key holder as to the position of the ejectorrelative to the keys, the forward end of arm 48.may be bent upon itselfand has an aperture 54 therein in which is mounted a small sphericalelement 52. The spherical element 52 is adapted to register with keyholder may be considered negligible, when considerequally spacedapertures 53 provided in the bottom wall 3 of the key holder frame 2, asbest illustrated in Figure 9, whereby the spherical element 52 willslide over .the spaced apertures 53 and impart a clicking or stoppingaction to the ejector, whereby the operator may, at all times, readilysense the position of the ejector 32 with respect to the keys.

The novel holder herein disclosed povides a compact unit for supportinga plurality of keys in such a manner that selected keys in the holdermay quickly be ejected therefrom to a position for use. The uniqueconstruction of the separators provides means for frictionally retainingthe keys within the holder, whereby they are not likely to swing out ofthe holder when the latter is carried in a pocket or purse. The devicemay be quickly manipulated with one hand to eject a selected keytherefrom which is of extreme advantage, particularly when it becomesnecessary to manipulate the device in the dark. Also, as hereinbeforestated, the keys are readily removable from the holder to permit othersto be substituted therefor, when desired. All of the parts embodiedtherein are of simple and inexpensive construction, whereby the entiredevice readily lends itself for manufacture inquantity production at lowcost.

In Figures l2, l3 and 14 there is illustrated a key ejecting means ofsimplified construction, comprising a push button, generally designatedby the numeral 56, secured in one end of a resilient arm 57 mounted forpivotal movement about a pivot pin 58 fixed to one end of the bottomwall 3, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. The push button 56 has anelongated terminal 59, the diameter of which is slightly less than thespacing between adjacent separators, whereby the terminal may readilyenter between the separators and thereby engage the shank of a key andeject it from the holder, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 13.

To facilitate positioning the push button over a se lected key, a seriesof apertures 61 are provided in ,the bottom wall 3 over which a smallspherical element 62 travels. The element 62 is supported in a resilientarm 63 which constantly presses the element 62 into contact with thebottom plate3. The spacing between the apertures 61 is determined by thespacing between the keys, as in the previous figures, the number ofapertures corresponding to the number of spaces between adjacentseparators. The arm 63 may, for convenience, be integrally formed withthe arm 57. 1

The operator may quickly determine the position of the ejector button 56by simply swinging it outwardly to one side whereby the sphericalelement may engage a suitable stop. Knowing the positions of the keyswithin the holder, the operator may then quickly swing the ejectorbutton to a position over the specific key to be ejected, being guidedin such movement by the spherical element 62 successively moving intoand out of the apertures 61, as the ejector arm 57 is swung laterallyover the keys.

The operation of the device shown in Figures l2, l3 and 14 issubstantially identical to the operation of the devices shown in Figures1 and 9, so far as manipulating the ejector button 56. The novel keyholder herein disclosed is designed more particularly for supportingflat keys. The heads of conventional keys may be slightly larger indiameter than the size of the key heads herein disclosed, but this is ofminor importance, because with the aid of a simple forming die, theheads of conventional.

keys may be quickly reduced in size to fit the key holder hereindisclosed. Thus when equipped with the necessary forming die, anyconventional key of the flat type may be quickly shaped to adapt it foruse in the key holder herein disclosed, thereby extending the usefulnessof the holder, as will be understood.

By reducing the size of conventional keys to adapt them for use in thepresent holder, the weight of such keys is substantially reduced,whereby the added weight of the ing the combined weights of the keys andkey holder. The head ends of the keys are substantially anchored betweenthe separators 14 and 15, whereby the particular key to be used may bereadily and conveniently rotated to manipulate a lock by simply graspingthe body of the key holder and using it as a handle for the key.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly aspermissible in view of the prior art.

We claim as our invention:

1. A key holder comprising a supporting structure having a plurality ofresilient key separators secured therein in spaced relation and adaptedfor limited lateral movement, a locking bar pivoted at one end in thesupporting structure, and when in operative position, locking theseparators in relatively fixed position within the holder, certain ofsaid separators having pivot elements secured thereto for pivotallysupporting keys therebetween, an arm mounted on said supportingstructure for swinging movement crosswise of the keys, and a keyejecting member mounted for pivotal movement about a spherical elementcarried by said arm, said spherical element being engageable with theedges of the separators when shifted from one key to another, wherebysaid spherical pivot element wil serve to align the ejector with aselected key to be ejected from the holder.

2. A key holder comprising a body having means therein for pivotallysupporting a plurality of keys in spaced relation, an arm having one endpivoted to said body and having its opposite end mounted for swingingmovement crosswise of the keys, and a key ejecting member carried by thefree end of said arm and operable by pressure of a finger thereon tocause a selected key over which it is positioned to be ejected from thekey holder.

3. A key holder comprising a casing, a plurality of pivot elements insaid casing adjacent one end thereof for pivotally supporting aplurality of keys within the casing, an arm pivoted at one end to theopposite end of the casing and having its opposite end adapted forswinging movement cross-wise of the keys, and a single key ejectingmember pivoted to the swingable end of said arm whereby the key ejectingmember may be moved into registration with a selected key in the casingto eject said selected key therefrom to a position of use.

4. A key holder according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of resilientelements elements are disposed within the casing for engaging andfrictionally retaining the keys therein when not in use.

5. A key holder according to claim 3, wherein the keyejecting memberco-acts with means within the casing to facilitate aligning thekey-ejecting member with the selected key to be ejected.

6. A key holder according to claim 3, wherein the key ejecting memberhas a cam at one end for engaging an edge of the selected key to ejectit from the casing, when the key ejecting member is actuated.

7. A key holder comprising a body having spaced separators thereinforming a plurality of key receiving chambers each adapted to receive akey, pivot elements carried by said separators for pivotally retainingthe keys in their respective chambers, a key ejecting member, a movablesupport for the key ejecting member whereby said member may be moved toa position over a selected key in one of said chambers, and meanswhereby the key ejecting member may be manually actuated to eject theselected key from the body.

8. A key holder according to claim 7 wherein the key ejecting member ispivotally mounted on the movable support and has a cam adapted uponactuation of said memben'to enter a selected key containing chamber andeject its key therefrom.

9. A key holder according to claim 7, wherein means is provided forimparting a clicking action to the key ejecting member, as it is passedover the keys, thereby to facilitate positioning the key ejecting memberover the selected key to be ejected from the body.

10. A key holder comprising a frame having rigid side members, aplurality of separators mounted in said frame between said side membersand disposed in spaced parallel relation and cooperating to provide aplurality of narrow elongated spaces each adapted to receive a keyhaving an aperture in one end thereof, means for inseparably securingsaid separators in the frame and permitting limited lateral movementthereof relative to one another, pivot elements secured to saidseparators at one end thereof and axially aligned transversely of theholder and each receivable in a key aperture to detachably secure a keyin each key-receiving space, and a locking member movably mounted insaid frame and normally positioned therein to cause said separators andpivot elements to cooperate and inseparably pivotally secure the keys intheir respective key-receiving spaces within the holder,

and permitting said keys to be selectively swung outwardly from theirrespective key-receiving spaces to positions for insertion into theirrespective locks, the body of ithekholder serving. as a handle forrotating each key in its 11. A key holder according to claim 10, whereinthe axial lengths of said pivot elements determines the effective widthsof their respective key-receiving spaces.

12. A key holder according to claim 11, wherein the locking member, whenin locking position, serves as a spacer to take up free play betweensaid separators and pivot elements, and when swung outwardly to aninoperative position allows said separators to be laterally movedrelative to one another to permit insertion of additional keys into theholder, or the removal of keys therefrom.

13. A key holder according to claim 11, wherein means is provided fornormally frictionally retaining the keys in their respectivekey-receiving spaces when not in use.

14. A key holder according to claim 11, wherein a keyejecting member ispivotally mounted on said frame and is adapted for movement crosswise ofthe keys and has a manually operable finger adapted to engage a selectedkey and eject it from its key-retaining space in the holder.

15. A unitary key holder comprising a frame having a plurality ofsheet-like elements mounted therein in spaced parallel relation toprovide a plurality of closely spaced key-receiving chambers, laterallyprojecting pivot means on the corresponding ends of certain of saidsheet-like elements, said laterally projecting pivot means spacing apartsaid sheet-like elements, keys supported in said chambers and havingtheir heads apertured to receive the pivot means on said sheet-likeelements thereby to pivotally support the keys in the holder, thekey-supporting ends of'said sheet-like elements being mounted forrelative lateral movement to permit the insertion of keys into thechambers between said elements or the removal of keys therefrom, alocking bar normally positioned between adjacent sheet-like elements totake up lateral play between the laterally movable ends thereof and saidpivot means, thereby to retain the keys in operative position in theholder, a selector plate mounted for move-.

ment crosswise of the keys, and a key-ejecting member mounted forpivotal movement on said selector plate and manually operable to eject aselected key from the holder to a position for use.

16. A key holder comprising a fiat body having a plurality of thinsheet-like separators mounted therein in laterally spaced relation andcooperating to provide a plurality of key-supporting chambers, laterallyprojecting pivot elements secured to certain of said separators atopposite sides thereof and at only one end of each of said separators,and said pivot elements being aligned transversely of the holder andbeing insertable into the apertured heads of a plurality of keys,thereby to pivotally'support said keys in said chambers, an elongatedmember movably supported in the holder and normally positioned betweenadjacent separators to take up lateral play between the key-engagingends of all of said separators and thereby secure the keys in operativepositions in the holder, said member when in another position,permitting free limited lateral movement of the key-engaging ends ofsaid separators, with respect to one another to effect separation of thepivot elements of a pair of adjacent separators, thereby to permit theinsertion of a key into the key-supporting chamber disposed between saidpair of separators, or the removal of a key from said chamber, and anejector inseparably mounted on said holder and movable transversely overthe keys and manually operable to eject any selected key from the holderto a position of use.

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